Our drinking club has a reading problem

Weekly Wrap-up: Apr 15-21, 2019

Sam’s Update:

It’s Magical Readathon!! Working hard to be a Metal Charmer. It’s also Tome Topple, so I’ve started my Tomes as well =). I spiraled a bit this week with my mental health, so I was struggling with reading. I did finish my first tome though!

What Sam finished this week:

History of Magic: Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay: This is the story of a conquered land, including the province of Tigana, who’s name cannot be remembered unless you were born there. (Very Weep from Strange the Dreamer). I listened on audio and read physically. I don’t want to go too deep into my thoughts because we haven’t had book club yet. I enjoyed it though.

What Sam’s reading now:

It’s O.W.L.s Magical Readathon and Tome Topple bitches!!

Care of Magical Creatures: The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons: I’ve only just started this last night so I don’t have much context. As far as I know, one dude is in jail, his lady guard seems supes evil. They’re both telling prisoner’s story but from different timelines. That’s literally all I got.

Ginny’s Update:

Currently Reading:

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant: Still working on this. I”ve officially hit the first death and holy shit are these mermaids terrifying. I have a few ideas of how things are going to happen but I definitely wasn’t expecting these things to start this early.

City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett: This is one of those books that’s been on my tbr for so long I figured it was finally time to get around to reading it. So I don’t’ actually know what’s going on and I refuse to look it up. It’s kind of fun to go in with no expectations other than knowing I was interested in it at some point. Plus I’ve read Foundryside also by RJB and absolutely loved it! So far I’ve found out that the continent has had religion of all kinds outlawed and then there’s a MURDER!

Completed this week:

Say Yes To The Marquess by Tessa Dare: This book was fine and was a solid read, but not necessarily one I’d shout everyone should read from the rooftops (seriously, feel free to reach out for a romcom recommendation, I’ve been on a bit of a roll). It was perfectly serviceable with a heroine who wants to take control of her own life and a leading man who is just trying to be a good brother while being absolutely head over heels in love with his brother’s fiance. 3/5

The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi: Ugh, I love John Scalzi. His books are so great. This is the beginning of a new series (yay) and it’s focused on a universe where there is a ‘flow’ that allows basically FTL travel. Except it’s not doing so well. The story focuses on the bastard daughter of the ruler of the empire, a scientist, and a spaceship captain and it’s a bop from beginning to end. 5/5

Minda’s Update:

Not sure if there are any Survivor fans here, but I helped organize a Survivor-like drinking tournament this weekend! So that took up most of my time.

What Minda is reading this week:

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman (Arithmancy) – Still reading and about halfway through. Really liking so far! Hoping to finish as close to start of week as possible to stay on track for OWLs readathon. We all got reviews for Illuminae, Gemina, and Obsidio.

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay (History of Magic) – Should be starting this about midweek. We’re all reading for book club.

Linz’s Update:

I finished my OWLs for the Magical Readathon and it left me a little adrift lol, so there are a few DNFs.

What Linz read:

Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto – REALLY enjoyed this, but I’m a little confused by the ending, and also the magic system. Willing to hold out for book 2 to see how it’s resolved.

The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton – YAAAAAASSSSSS. The sequel to The Belles brought me RIGHT back to the gorgeous world Camellia Beauregard lives in. I will say, I thought this was going to be a trilogy, but it might be a duology? And that’s definitely going to affect my overall feelings. Linz’s review and Sam’s review.

The Disasters by M. K. England – a bunch of recruits for a space colony are framed for a MAJOR crime they didn’t commit, and must clear their names and uncover who really did the crime. Wildly diverse, but it was way too fast, and for a space book there really wasn’t a lot about space? Also, I think the characters could have benefited from being aged up just a touch.

What Linz tried to read:

Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken – I just could not get down with the writing style for this early 1900s story of a woman who appears out of nowhere, with a LOT of secrets

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory – a meetcute in an elevator between a doctor and the mayor’s chief of staff turns into a fake relationship for a wedding turns into (I’m assuming, since I didn’t finish the book) a real relationship. I’m kinda bummed because the characters are kinda great, but the book reads almost exactly like a rom-com script, and the sex scene I got to was LACKING.

What Linz is reading now:

Mosquitoland by David Arnold – Mim just got settled in at her dad and stepmom’s house in the horror that is Mississippi, when she finds out her mom’s sick and runs away on a Greyhound to Cleveland to be by her side. I’m guessing self-discovery and adventures will happen, but Mim’s voice is a delight, which could save this book from any predictability.

Ascenders: High School for the Recently Departed by C.L. Gaber – Full disclaimer that the author very kindly sent a copy my way. I REALLY wish this book had a different title, because it and the description give just, WAY too much away for how the book starts. Walker is 17, with no memory of how she and her mom moved to a new town or how she got into this fancy new academy. Surprise, it’s because she’s in the teen version of Limbo. I love the Walker character, and I like the world-building, but there’s a few things that aren’t doing it for me.

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2 thoughts on “Weekly Wrap-up: Apr 15-21, 2019”

City of Stairs in incredible! I really hope you enjoy it. RJB has become an automatic read author for me.
Looking forward to your review of The Ruin of Kings. I’ve added and removed it from my TBR so many times.